Retail and consumer goods industry news

John Lewis has announced it is investing £2million trialling a new food concept at its Watford department store, offering John Lewis customers access to Waitrose products as they shop. Look and feel 'like a little Waitrose' The store will be managed by the John Lewis division, occupying 5,500 sq ft of space on the second floor which was previously used as back of house. The offer will look ...

Sobeys’ third quarter sales, for the 13 weeks to February 2nd, increased by 8.8% to $4.3bn, with same-store sales up 1.2%. Adjusting for the impact of acquisitions, total sales increased by 2.6%. Investing its stores and distribution network Sobeys’ sales in the quarter were boosted by the acquisition of over 260 retail gas locations and related convenience stores which occurred in the fou...

Auchan has opened its new fresh concept store, under the Arcimbo fascia, in Villeparisis, Seine-et-Marne, in the north-eastern suburbs of Paris. Fresh focus to complement Drive outlet This store located next to an Auchan Drive outlet, where it is hoped that its focus on fresh produce will complement the purchases of dry or bulk goods made by customers using the Drive service.  Auchan ...

In a presentation to a retailing event in the country, the founder of Netherlands-based Jumbo, Karel van Eerd, said that the company’s aim was to drive turnover to €7 billion by 2017. Plans envisages doubling of sales through Jumbo stores In 2012 Jumbo branded stores generated sales of €3.2 billion, with sales growth boosted by the rebranding of C1000 stores to the Jumbo banner. The doublin...

Chilean convenience retailer OK Market plans to almost quadruple store numbers by 2017, according to local press. Operated 90 stores at end 2012 OK Market began operating in 2002 and has build a presence in the regions of Metropolitana, Valparaíso and Los Ríos.  By the end of 2012 it had grown to 90 stores and, according to the report, aims to reach 300-340 by the end of 2017.  It targets sal...

Boots is today launching its first range of healthy, ‘ready meals’ under its lunchtime Shapers brand. Expansion of food offer The offer becomes available today within 100 Boots stores throughout London and across major commuter sites. The Shapers evening meal selection offers 27 new options with prices from £1.25 including main meals, warm salads,  vegetable accompaniments and desserts. The...

Tesco has launched a new coupon-at-till price comparison system that refunds the difference to shoppers if products could have been bought for less at its main rivals. Significantly, the new scheme covers both branded and private label products, and builds on trials of the couponing technology in Northern Ireland. Own brand and promotions included Distinctively, the new Tesco Price Promis...

Dairy Farm reported sales of USD 9.8bn for full year 2012, an increase of 7% year-on-year, with mixed fortunes across its operating markets. Overview of performance in 2012 Dairy Farm's overall performance was positive in an increasingly challenging trading landscape. Decline in underlying profit was attributed to accounting errors in its Malaysian operations - adjusted figures showed an...

Catalan retailer Bon Preu grew sales by 6.5% in 2012, thanks to five new store openings. Positive result given economic conditions Bon Preu's turnover reached €752m in 2012, as it increased store numbers to 157.  Like-for-like sales growth was flat.  Catching up with Condis Bon Preu is catching up with fellow Catalan retailer Condis Supermercats , which reported turnover of €801m in ...

Aldi Süd in Germany is centralising the purchasing of all its fruit and vegetables through an extended buying team at its Mülheim office, reports Lebensmittel Zeitung. Following Aldi Nord The new model will mirror the process already being used at sister company Aldi Nord. While Aldi Süd began purchasing some all-season produce centrally two years ago, it will now be extending this proc...